In my late-20s, I moved from San Francisco into a ski-lease cabin on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe with just my yellow lab, Hannah. I’d left the comfort of roommates and city life for a quieter existence that better-suited my inner mountain girl (who had yet to fully emerge from my Southern California upbringing and post-college urbanite self). I—we—lived alone most of the time, though there was no telling when one or more of 16 lease-mates might drive up from the city to stay a night or two (or more). It was December. I was a loner. And I was suffering from acute tendonitis in both of my feet and ankles, as well as a mild case of PTSD from an adventure race gone bad (long story).

As my achy lower legs started to heal, I craved the thing that always made me feel better about everything: running. But I couldn’t figure out where and how to get into the rhythm I so desperately needed. The roads were icy and not well maintained. My only options for running on pavement were to hoof it along the busy, two-lane highway around the lake, or string together uninspiring loops around small neighborhoods.

Read more: 5 Cold-Weather Trail Running Tips

On top of that, it was an El Niño year, and the local trails became buried under feet of snow. With running outdoors seemingly off the table, I succumbed and ran on a gym treadmill once or twice. That’s all it took for me to decide I was not cut out to be a hamster all winter long. Then I had an epiphany: snowshoes made specifically for running.

I discovered the existence of running snowshoes while lingering in the local outdoor shop, a place I’d go when I either needed something or felt lonely, which was often. I’d talk with the shop guys and look at all the winter outdoor gear, which, besides the snowboards (I’d been riding for a few years), was fairly foreign to me. I’d occasionally rent Nordic skis for adventures with Hannah, but I didn’t know how to skate or classic ski and really, I just wanted to be able to run. I spotted a pair of small-looking snowshoes with tapered tails on the wall and asked the guy behind the counter about them. He explained that they were made for running, and that you wear regular running shoes with them, not boots. My eyes widened and my head spun with possibilities.

This was a long time ago, so I don’t remember if I bought those snowshoes on the spot. But I vividly remember my first time running on snowy trails with snowshoes underfoot. When I put those things on my feet and ran with my dog on wide, snow-covered trails that had been packed down by snowmobiles, or on fresh, snowy singletrack routes through the woods, I fell in love—I fell in love with winter, winter sports, and with the mountains.

Related: A Head-to-Toe Guide to Dressing for Winter Trail Runs

On my first Christmas in Tahoe, I walked across the street and put on my enablers (my term of endearment for snowshoes). I started running in soft, fresh, deep snow and Hannah jumped around like an ecstatic bunny. With every stride I kicked snow on my butt and laughed at my dog before connecting to a more well-used trail system where I could really get into my running groove. We returned to the cabin happy, tired, and at peace, ready to enjoy the day with the ski lease roommates who’d decided to spend Christmas in Tahoe.

All winter long, I ran on those snowshoes. I ran where I wanted, whenever I wanted—I could go anywhere covered in snow, which was anywhere besides the highway and neighborhood roads. Most often, I’d head to a trailhead nearby and venture into the woods. I found a few routes I loved, a mix of untracked or barely tracked trails and packed-down fire roads. There was the time Hannah and I had a scary—but exhilarating—stare-down with a gorgeous coyote in a snowstorm. And there was the time I stopped in a meadow when the snow fell lightly, not another soul in sight. My dog stood still with me, and I marveled at the utter silence It was an amazing moment I still haven’t forgotten.

Snowshoe running was good for my healing body as well as my spirit. The greater surface area of the snowshoes dispersed the impact of every step, giving my still-healing tendons a lower-impact workout. The soft ground underfoot also helped. I got to run without pounding, sweat without hurting.

Snowshoe running saved me that winter and nursed me back to health. By the time the snow melted, I could run without pain on the dirt trails. I got back into adventure racing and volleyball, my other passion. I made some friends and found a boyfriend. That first winter in Tahoe convinced me to stay for two more years. I raced on snowshoes the following winter, a new endeavor that led to me joining a snowshoe racing team (long live Team Atlas) and a community of like-minded people.

Decades later, I live happily in Colorado and have a stack of snowshoes in my shed. I’ve since learned to Nordic ski, which draws me more often than snowshoeing. But if I lived in a mountain town like North Lake Tahoe, with trails that are buried under snow for months,, I’d put those snowshoes on my feet and fall in love with snowshoe running all over again.

The post This Obscure Piece of Gear Made Me (a SoCal Gal) Fall in Love with Winter appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Snowshoes are some of the oldest winter tech around with—literally—prehistoric origins. Despite the many evolutions in its humble design, snowshoes manage to improve every year, granting more flotation, providing better grip, and weighing less on our feet and in our packs. This winter’s crop is no exception.

The Winners at a Glance

• Best Bang for Your Buck: Cascade Mountain Tech Alptrek Peak Snowshoe Kit
• Best Binding: Komperdell Peakmaster Pro Snowshoe
• Best Grip: Retrospec Drifter Plus

The Reviews: The Best Snowshoes of 2024

Best Bang for Your Buck: Cascade Mountain Tech Alptrek Peak Snowshoe Kit ($80)

Pros: Easy on/easy off, comes with poles and storage bag, lightweight
Cons: Hard to strap to your pack, heel lift is tough to pull
Sizes: 22.8, 25.2, 28 in
Weight: 2.3 lbs (25.25 in)

Our eastern Oregon-based tester, Mary Emerick, praised these shoes for keeping her afloat and stable on icy slopes, and found that their performance beat out some more expensive pairs. 57 variously-sized metal points along the 16-inch outside edges combined with seven toe spikes provided superior traction. On trails around the Redmont Ski Shelter in Oregon’s Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, the ‘shoes allowed her to “charge up a hill of death in a way I’ve never been able to with fancier snowshoes. I could walk right up instead of making switchbacks,” she says. “And usually I have to slide down the hill on my butt on the way out, but I could walk right down with these shoes,” says Emerick. She also complimented the on/off process, that employs three thick, easy-to-use rubber straps that span across the foot and heel. The Alptrek Peak’s are made of a lightweight composite deck, while the included aluminum poles have extended grips, a quick-lock system, and large snow baskets—not bad for a budget kit. Emerick also loved that the stainless steel crampons were coated blue and matched the blue straps, because, “fashion is everything while snowshoeing, right?”

Best Binding: Komperdell Peakmaster Pro Snowshoe ($220-$240)

Pros: Affordable, simple BOA binding, perfect balance of float and traction
Cons: Heel lift sticks, no traction along the sides
Sizes: 22, 25, 30 in
Weight: 2 lbs (25 in)

Our Alaska-based testers loved the efficiency and security of the Quicklock BOA-style binding and quick-release nylon heel strap in combination with thick rubber sides that engulfed their feet. That tight wrap was especially useful while exploring remote areas outside Denali National Park, Alaska, where it dipped into the -30s at night. In such bitter cold, testers also appreciated the bonus neoprene snowshoe toe cover ($40 extra) that snaps onto the side of the binding and zips over toes, keeping their feet warm while preventing snow from piling up. With a strong aluminum frame and tough rubber decking, the Peakmaster Pros are best for deep, powdery snow where ample floatation is needed. These ’shoes hold their own on icy, snow-packed slopes too, thanks to seven large teeth and a serrated, U-shaped stainless steel heel piece that provides traction. The only ding? It takes muscle to push the heel lift back down into place.

Best Grip: Retrospec Drifter Plus ($100)

Pros: Impressive traction, easy bindings, affordable
Cons: Noisy, relatively low weight limit
Sizes: 23, 25 in
Weight: 2.5 lbs (25 in)

The 70-plus, variously sized steel teeth that span almost the entire length of the Retrospec Drifter Plus, paired with the seven steel toe crampons, provided our Montana-based tester, Tanner Smithwick, plenty of grip along the Sypes Canyon Trail in Gallatin County. Smithwick appreciated the molded plastic deck that proved durable while maintaining flex, and noted that the pivoting footbed motion felt natural while trekking through deep snow in the Beehive Basin Trail in Big Sky, even on his giant size 12 feet. He also praised the double ratchet straps that locked in the upper foot, and the rubber heel strap, which kept his heel in place. “They are easy to put on, take off, and adjust on-the-go,” he says. “No need to sit down and take your gloves off.” Smithwick’s only gripe? The molded plastic decking makes a very loud “smack” noise when moving quickly on flatter terrain.

How to Buy Snowshoes

Flat, uncomplicated terrain doesn’t require too much from a pair of snowshoes. Simple, comfortable bindings and a deck that provides adequate flotation are all you need. If icy slopes or deep snow aren’t in your future, save money with a budget pair made from heavier molded plastic and less aggressive traction.

On the other end of the spectrum are snowshoes built for challenging terrain—slushy hills to mixed rock and ice. A secure wrap or multiple straps along the foot are important for stability. Quick binding systems, like those that utilize a BOA twist lock, are helpful when taking snowshoes on and off in precarious terrain and a huge time-saver compared with fiddly three-strap setups. Snowshoes geared towards mountainous ascents will have a wider variety of spikes and crampons—and in more abundance—to offer grip both horizontally and laterally, and to bite through different types of ice. A heel lift (that can easily be flicked open and closed) is a must for giving your feet and calves an assist on the steeps.

In deep, fresh powder, you’ll want wider, longer snowshoes (or those that come with extensions) for superior flotation in deep snow. On the flipside, if you’re headed out on a weight-conscious backpacking trip, prioritize lightweight construction, like a pair made from aluminum and TPU-coated nylon, for fatigue on-foot and outside your pack.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 9
• Number of products tested: 10
• Miles logged while testing: 166 miles
• States we tested in: Alaska, Washington, Montana, Oregon, California
• Coldest temperature: -32 degrees

Our testers ventured out to some of the coldest and snowiest states to test 10 pairs of newfangled snowshoes. We looked at design, features, ease of use, comfort, traction, cost, weight, and floatation in deep snow to narrow down the best of the best. Only three models stood up to the rigors of our testing by the end of the season.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Justin La Vigne

Our category manager, Justin La Vigne, lives a “life less ordinary” just outside of Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. When not writing, he is a professional backcountry guide, taking people hiking and backpacking all over Alaska, and has personally logged 7000+ trail miles. He embraces the cold, snowy, and dark winters that start in September and last until May. He has snowshoes stationed at his front door and uses them daily for getting around his property and exploring the frozen landscape of AlaskaÌę A core group of about 25 testers from all over the world help him vet out the best of the best in the field.

Mary Emerick

Mary Emerick hails from the Wallowa Mountains of Eastern Oregon, where she has been testing snowshoes and traction for four years now and other gear for more than 10 years. She is currently a recreation planner for the US Forest Service, and an author of several books. Her past jobs include a wildland firefighter, naturalist and wilderness ranger. When not working, she can be found exploring the outdoors year round with her dogs and penning a new novel. She loves gear testing, as she gets to discover new brands she never heard of and incorporate them into her gear collection. Her favorite places to test are on the Pacific Crest Trail, Hells Canyon, and the Grand Canyon.

The post The Best Snowshoes of 2024 appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Each time.

Whenever I come home from visiting a certain town in my state of Colorado, I look around at the wide basin where I live, punctuated by the one looming peak that is the symbol of this old mining community, and wonder, Where are all the goddamn mountains?

I live in Carbondale, under the gaze of the 12,965-foot, twin-summited Mount Sopris, jutting high above the river valley and ranchlands. From its peak, which stands alone in our sky (a 14-mile round-trip hike I try to do each year), you can see everything: up the Roaring Fork River Valley to Aspen, 30 miles away; downvalley to Glenwood Springs; and across to the Elk Range. From the Flattops above Dotsero, an hour away on the Colorado River, I’ve looked across and been startled by the isolated, shoulder-y hulk of Sopris.

Though it pains me to be disloyal to the place where I live, I must take off my hat to this other Colorado town: Telluride, which I recently visited for the 15th time. The visuals and anticipation always zing me as I drive down from Delta and Montrose toward the gateway town of Ridgway and first see the jagged skyline crowned by the pyramid of Mount Sneffels, at 14,155 feet the highest peak in the Sneffels Range, part of the San Juan Mountains. I roll down that long hill, turn right at the only stoplight in Ouray County, and start the steady rise up Dallas Divide. That last part of the drive always feels shorter than expected.

Then I’m there: entering the deep valley, enclosed and folded in by the soaring box canyon, a waterfall ripping down its walls. Mountains shoot up in every direction. The road before me curves into the jewel that is Telluride.

An old Victorian mining town, Telluride sits at 8,750 feet, with a gondola arcing up over the ski slopes to Mountain Village, situated even higher at 9,547. The architecture in its National Historic District is quaint and congruent, the Victorian homes recalling the latticed Gold Rush cabins of yore. The red-brick Sheridan Opera House (built in 1913) and the old Nugget Building with its arched windows and striped canopies (1892) are familiar, welcoming forms.

In a dream of mountain grandeur, Ajax Peak dominates the view as you approach town, and faces of granite, conglomerate, and sunny sandstone—red rock, gray rock, in horizontal striations—encircle the canyon. Deep green forests run up the slopes, and bright snowy couloirs interlace the whole network.

With friends, I’ve climbed on the rock walls and boulders (last time hiking up to the Falls Wall, level with the 365-foot Bridal Veil Falls), and hiked the classic three-mile looping up through aspen, ponderosa, and spruce, and opening to wildflower meadows, with widening views of downtown Telluride, the ski area, Bear Creek, Ballard Mountain, La Junta Peak, and Wasatch Mountain.

On both sides of the Telluride Ski Resort are the slopes where my husband and friends and I have skied and our kids used to ski race, and where the boys also raced mountain bikes each summer. One winter, from the meadows above a high pass outside of town, I snowshoed up to the towering spire of Lizard Head.

Back near Ridgway, my husband, Mike, and I have camped in the Ouray Town Park, where he was up at 3:00 a.m. to pace his friend Garett Graubins 25 miles over to Telluride as part of the Hardrock 100 endurance race in the San Juans. Garett, who in the past had placed in the top 10 in ultras, was now living in Minnesota and no longer acclimated, but he had gotten a prized entry and wanted to come.

He arrived in Ouray, mile 50, ashen and vomiting, lay on a cot doing his best to ingest some mashed potatoes, and asked me to warn his wife and son, who would be at the aid station in Telluride, that he might drop there. A few hours later, when I found Holly and Sawyer in the Telluride Town Park and delivered the message, their faces dropped. “Really?”

We three waited and worried. Garett and Mike were to tackle the steep scree slopes up and down from Kroger’s Canteen, an aid station named for a beloved local, Chuck Kroger, who personified this race and was lost to cancer in 2007. Chuck, a Stanford geophysics grad, also meticulously and not entirely legally created Telluride’s now celebrated two-mile Kroger’s Canteen, at 13,000-plus feet,Ìę is the race’s highest aid station, and workers pack the supplies up the col every year.

As Garett and Mike neared Telluride, we spotted their shirt colors, strained in silence to see their faces. They arrived smiling. Chatting.

Garett leaned back on a picnic bench and beamed—and then looked at his watch and leapt up. “I’ve gotta get going!” His new pacer hopped in, while Mike turned to fretting, getting up all night at our friend’s house to check times, hoping Garett would make the two-day cutoff. Garett finished in 46:07:52.

One of my favorite bike events used to be the Full Tilt in Telluride each July. Our sons, Ted and Roy, raced mountain bikes in their age divisions, Mike would sometimes enter an adult rec division, and I’d hike or climb. We and other families and friends stayed in the campground by the Town Park. The kids could ride around independently and take the free gondola to Mountain Village, where race activity centered.

Telluride is an expensive destination, and Mountain Village is studded with five-star hotels, but the area has always had great camping options. It has also always had a local community of hard-core athletes and solid all-arounders: runners, rock and ice climbers, kayakers, and skiers, the latter including various lifelong devotees, emergent high school and college racers, and ski mountaineers pulling multiple-hour approaches to no-fall couloirs.

I have heard some locals say they avoid restaurants on weekends due to crowds, but they still go to their coffee shops, like the Phoenix Bean, which closed last fall after 30 busy years. Now Bruno, which doubles as a bookstore, and the Coffee Cowboy, by the gondola, are local faves. Bakeries, such as Baked in Telluride, founded by the laid-back skier Jerry Greene in 1977, are community hubs as well.

My memories of the area are not all good. Mountain life and sports carry risks and can dole out terrible luck. The first year I went to the Mountainfilm festival—an annual late-May gathering that brings in great outdoor films and filmmakers—in 1989, my friend and housemate Katie Kemble was at the base of the 1,000-foot Ophir Wall as she belayed another climber. The news trickled in as baffling drabs. She had “broken her leg,” been taken away in a truck, been helicoptered to Grand Junction. She had, I found out in a phone call from her climbing partner Ric Hatch—who’d carried her out from the cliff as she held her near-severed leg on with both hands—been “taken into surgery to have her leg amputated.”

I left Telluride after one day there to go to Junction, an excruciating drive. Julie Kennedy, also from Carbondale and visiting with our crew, jumped in my car, saying, “You’re not going alone.” We arrived to find Katie just being wheeled out of surgery, and Julie, Ric, and I danced with joy to hear that due to the two-finger-wide remaining section, the surgeon had reattached her leg. Yet this was no simple blessing. Katie spent months in the hospital, underwent dozens of surgeries, and is still affected, but has gone on to have a family and a great life as a nurse practitioner who also started a nonprofit, the EASE Cancer Foundation.

Another time at Mountainfilm, in 2018, I was planning to stay with my friend Charlotte Fox, with whom I used to climb when she lived in Aspen. I had stayed at her Telluride place (built by Chuck Kroger) a couple of times, once about ten years earlier with my son Roy, then age 11 or 12, for a junior ski race. Roy rode up and down the elevator—“Oh, all the kids do,” Charlotte said with a smile and shrug—in her narrow, five-story house, and he lay on the floor petting her avalanche dog, Max. She and I had coffee out on her deck overlooking the whole town, across to the ski slopes.

The night before my intended recent visit, Charlotte, who’d summited and survived the Everest disaster of 1996 and also climbed Dhaulagiri, Cho Oyu, Gasherbrum II, and Manaslu (doing five of the world’s 14 8000-meter peaks, and many other mountains), died in a fall on her steep stairs. Even still, though it’s been five years, I keep hearing of more of her kindnesses. My friend Randy Levensaler just told me that when he lived in Carbondale and was dating a Telluride local, and as an outsider would shyly enter dinner gatherings, Charlotte would call out his name and pat the chair beside her. “Randy! I’ve got a seat for you right here!”

Thankfully, there have been many good, uneventful Telluride trips. It’s a town with joyous festivals and gatherings, including the summer Bluegrass Festival (which turned 50 this year) and the Telluride Film Festival as well as Mountainfilm. The latter I have been to (at least) five times, once with friends when all our kids were tiny, many years seeing exceptional films, and a couple of times climbing on the Pipeline Wall, which offers some of the biggest views in the valley.

This past May I arrived in Telluride in a new job at șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű and with a new team of coworkers. But some things were the same, like looking up from the streets in town and seeing the waterfall moving from two miles away. Among my crew, I was not the first to arrive, but I was the last to leave. I walked down to the final awards ceremony in the Town Park, and watched my friend and long-ago intern (at Rock and Ice magazine) Andrew Bisharat take the stage with four Palestinian climber friends, in the U.S. on miraculous visas, as their resonant film Resistance Climbing won the Charlie Fowler Best șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Film memorial award. Through a Mountainfilm-Telluride Academy partnership, youth from Navajo Preparatory School, Telluride High School, and Nucla High School named the powerful Full Circle as their Student Choice Award, announced by Makayla Yazzie from Navajo Prep and Akymia Ralstin of Nucla.

Leaving town, I caught a visiting bonsai exhibit at the Slate Gray Gallery on Main Street, just in time before the trees were loaded up in a truck for home. Telluride, like Aspen, has a longstanding creative arts and culture scene. The ski area is primo and vast, though I still claim our Aspen Highlands, with its hike-to Highland Bowl, as the state’s best resort skiing. But the sheer sight of Telluride—the tableau—always gets me.

Each time, I leave with regret. But I usually stop in Ridgway to say hi to Jim McCarthy, 90, who climbed historic first ascents in the Shawangunks, New York; was on the 1963 first ascent of Mount Proboscis in the Yukon; and was instrumental in opening the once-selective American Alpine Club up to anyone who wanted to join. We sit on his back deck and look out together at the Sneffels skyline.

Alison Osius is a senior editor at șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű.

Other articles by this author:

Don’t Let Altitude Sickness Ruin Your Mountain Vacation. Heed This Doctor’s Tips to Avoid It.

Colorado’s Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail Takes You to Sacred Grounds

In 2022 A Stranger Saved Us in a Storm at Green River. Trying to Find Him, I Just Got a Surprise.

Must-Know Camping Tips from a Lifelong Camper

The post This Is the Most Beautiful Town in Colorado appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

California has had a hell of a year, with a series of storms that have caused record flooding and forced thousands to evacuate their homes. Many have struggled, but part of the state has experienced a silver, or winter white, lining. In Yosemite National Park, one of America’s most popular natural treasuries, the storms have delivered epic winter conditions. This means that if you want to gaze up at El Capitan in solitude or like to cross-country ski, hike, snowshoe, and see raging waterfalls, you’re in luck.

Precipitation totals are more than 200 percent of the average for this time of year, so there are dramatic conditions throughout the park, with multiple feet of snow stacking up above 6,000 feet, and rivers and waterfalls at high flow levels in Yosemite Valley.

“Conditions are amazing right now,” says Cory Goehring, lead naturalist for the the park’s nonprofit partner, which works to protect the park. Goehring lives in Mariposa, about 30 miles from Yosemite, and leads occasional snowshoe adventures in the park’s high country. “Yosemite has transformed into a winter wonderland. The park is so dynamic in elevation ranges, from 2,000 feet to 13,000 feet, [that] while the Valley saw a lot of rain, the rest of the park got a lot of snow. There are lots of excited people waxing up skis.”

The park is open and safe, though in any natural area you must be mindful of the surroundings. Rock slides are always a concern when moisture stacks up in and around the region, and a slide on Highway 140 leading to the park killed two people in late December. But the park roads are now clear, and there are currently no unusual trail or road closures. (Always check conditions here before traveling.)

“There were storms, there was a rockslide, but the Valley is great now,” says Ira Estin, a longtime hiking and photo-tour guide in Yosemite, who lives in Midpines, near Mariposa. “There’s plenty of snow if people want to snowshoe or cross-country ski. Conditions are great, and the waterfalls are going crazy.”

The worst of California’s storms is believed to be behind us, and the park is set for a brief dry period and milder conditions moving forward this winter, which means it is a great time to visit one of America’s most iconic national parks.

Here are four reasons to go to Yosemite right now.

Yosemite is way less crowded this time of year.

is arguably the best time to visit Yosemite Valley, as a lack of crowds means you can actually find a parking space, and you can hike some of the valley’s signature trails without rubbing elbows with hundreds of strangers.

“We get four million visitors every year, but three million of those people come in June, July and August,” says Goehring. “It’s a time of solitude, even on the usually busy Valley floor.”

Use this downtime to hit some of the Valley’s most sought-after adventures that might otherwise be packed. is one of the park’s most popular paths, and arguably the first hike that many visitors want to check off their dream lists. The tough 7.2-mile round trip starts at Camp 4 and gains 2,700 feet via a series of switchbacks through oaks until you hit a plateau that leads to the top of Yosemite Falls. If the upper portion of the trail is snowed in or you’re not up for the whole enchilada, you can turn around at the Columbia Rock overlook, for a three-mile round trip that takes you up switchbacks to a grand view across the Valley.

Goehring also recommends walking or riding the 12 miles of paved that wind through the Valley floor, which are cleared of snow. “In the summer, there are thousands of people on this path,” he says, “but in the winter, you feel like you have it all to yourself.” (Bike rentals are unavailable during winter inside the park, so bring your own.)

Check out our guide to the in Yosemite for more inspiration.

The waterfalls are popping.

All of the rain has resulted in the emergence of almost a dozen seasonal, or “ephemeral,” waterfalls that typically only appear after snowmelt during the spring. Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Falls have been more robust than ever lately, but you can also see unnamed streams tumbling over rock faces and rare, but named, waterfalls like , west of Half Dome.

“Some waterfalls will pop up for a day or two, and then the drainage dries up and they disappear, and some of them will run for six months,” Goehring says, adding that even if you miss the ephemeral falls, the winter temps create an ice spectacle on more consistent falls like Yosemite. “With cooler temps at night, you wake up in the morning and there will be ice sheets on Yosemite Falls the size of a football field. When they break off and hit the ground, it sounds like thunder throughout the Valley.”

Check out a of Yosemite Falls to get a sense for the volume of water pouring into the valley.

The snowshoeing is off the charts.

Strapping on a pair of snowshoes is the easiest way for visitors to experience the great snowy conditions in Yosemite’s high country. Start at a lift-served resort inside the park that also serves as the hub of a large network of marked winter trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. National Park rangers lead free from Badger Pass December through March. has snowshoe rentals ($28.50 a day) and offers guided snowshoe adventures as well (starting at $60). The Yosemite Conservancy offers , too ($105).

If you’re looking for an epic adventure, try the eight-mile round trip that starts at the Nordic Center and travels through meadows and a conifer forest to , where you can see El Capitan, Half Dome, Mount Hoffman, Mount Conness, and the Clark Range.

Yosemite is a nordic skier’s dream.

As good as the snowshoeing is right now, the cross-country skiing is even better. Skiers have options galore. There are 25 miles of groomed XC trails starting at Badger Pass, a number of backcountry huts you can ski to, and roads like Glacier Point, which is closed to traffic and managed for skiers from November to May. The Badger Pass Nordic Center has rentals ($31 a day) and Yosemite Mountaineering School offers guided trips from the center.

The signature XC ski adventure in Yosemite is to kick and glide your way along , which is groomed for skate skiers and classic skiers alike. It’s 10.5 miles to Glacier Point, which sits more than 3,000 feet above the Valley floor, offering a postcard-worthy view of Half Dome. A backcountry located at the point typically offers food and lodging, but is closed for renovations this winter. (Remember it for next time!) The view is still worth the effort, if you can handle a 21-mile out-and-back. Experienced skiers should expect it to take a full day, though even beginners can enjoy a shorter round trip on the groomed road; Summit Meadow, 2.8 miles up the road, makes for a great lunch spot and turnaround point.

, a high-elevation meadow and forest, 16 miles from Yosemite Valley, has ungroomed but marked for classic XC skiers. Gin Flat Loop, 6.25 miles in total, features a gradual three-mile climb up a trail and a fun three-mile descent down an ungroomed road. There’s also a dedicated Snowplay area where families can hop out of the car and sled or ride toboggans or inner tubes.

Winter Safety Considerations

Expect temperatures ranging from the 20s to high 40s in winter in the Valley. As you gain elevation, those temperatures can drop, so be sure to pack winter layers.

Yosemite is a wild place, so there will always be dangers—such as avalanches on steep slopes and in canyons and near cliffs—to consider. Roads can close due to rock and debris slides. As well as using the Yosemite website, updated daily with current , you can also call the park’s road status hotline (209-372-0200) and Yosemite’s account is a good source for up-to-date information. Highway 140 closed following a January 15 rock slide outside of the park’s boundary, between El Portal and Midpines, with partial opening (California Highway Patrol to escort motorists) on January 23 and one-way traffic beginning January 24.

All cars, even 4WD vehicles, entering the park are required to carry . You might not have to use them, but must have them in your vehicle. You can rent them from stores and gas stations in Mariposa, west of the park.

If you’re traveling in the on snowshoes or skis, be realistic about your abilities and any routes you plan on tackling. Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Leaving a note on your car isn’t a bad idea, either. Carry a map and compass, prepare for weather changes with extra layers, and be ready to turn around. It’s easy to get lost even on familiar terrain when snow moves in. Even better, hire a guide.

Graham Averill lives in the Southern Appalachians, where in his opinion it doesn’t snow enough. One of his all-time favorite backcountry campsites is in Yosemite, on a ledge overlooking the Valley. He’s been writing for șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű for more than a decade.

See:

The Ultimate Yosemite National Park Travel Guide

The post This Is the Best Winter Ever to Visit Yosemite National Park. Here’s Why. appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

This season transforms our favorite outdoor spaces into wild winter wonderlands, and snowshoeing offers one of the most heart-pumping and affordable tickets to the show. Even better,Ìęlearning to snowshoe is a cinch. Here are the best trails in the U.S., selected based on their sights and scenery and grouped by their level of expertise. Don’t miss our list of best snowshoes to gear up for winter trail fun, too.

Beginner

1. Sallie Barber Mine Trail, Colorado

There’s snowshoeing to stunning viewpoints, and then there’s snowshoeing to abandoned 1880s-era mines. Breckenridge’s is a three-mile out-and-back that promises a solid and scenic workout. Snowshoers gain 400 feet of elevation along the route, which starts at Highway 9. After mile one, be on the lookout for the main attraction: zinc-sulfide mining remnants, such as an ore bin, with interpretative signs detailing the area’s history.

2. Cooper River Trail, Washington

Soak up some Pacific Northwest winter vibes via through the Snoqualmie region. Its eight miles follow the curves of its namesake river out to Cooper Lake. With 400 feet of elevation, expect to sweat, but the old-growth forest of firs, cedars, and pines make the heart-pumping miles well worth it. This trail starts from the Salmon la Sac parking area, two hours east of Seattle, and features mountain and river views, with potential wildlife sightings.

3. Trillium Lake, Oregon

Ìębeckons with top-notch snowshoeing terrain and tranquil scenery within two hours of Portland. Nestled in the pine-dotted , the lake’s four-mile beginner-friendly snowshoe loop impresses with a peaceful meadow and soaring Mount Hood vistas. The Trillium Lake snowshoe trailhead is located right off U.S. Route 26; a is required at the lot.

4. Lincoln Woods Trail, New Hampshire

Enjoy one of the Northeast’s top beginner snowshoe trails, , in the White Mountains. Located in the area, this path follows a former logging railway beside a river, runs for roughly with gentle inclines, and connects with other routes, such as the , for those who’d like a longer trek.

5. Colchester Causeway Trail, Vermont

Soak up Lake Champlain’s frozen splendor from the famed , a that welcomes snowshoers each winter. The water-flanked path crosses the lake, rises just 100 feet in elevation, and affords views of the Adirondack and Green Mountains. But given that the causeway is entirely exposed, expect winter’s whipping winds to whip even harder.

6. Catskill Scenic Trail, New York

This brings 25 multipurpose miles of outdoor adventure to upstate New York’s charming Catskills region, just three and a half hours north of Manhattan. Come winter, those 25 gentle-grade miles attract snowshoers who come to take in the expanse of rolling hills, thick forests, and quiet farmland of Delaware County. Ample abounds along the trail, which stretches from Bloomville to Roxbury.

7. Iron Creek Trail, South Dakota

packs boulders, waterfalls, a creek, and a canyon into its two miles. The easy creek-borderedÌę, located inÌę, is a favorite among locals. Catch the along Highway 14A in the northern stretch of national forest, just south of Spearfish.

8. Banadad Trail, Minnesota

Few states embrace winter like Minnesota, and the shows why it shines during this season. The wild route is the longest groomed cross-country ski trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, following former logging roads, with yurt-to-yurt ski accommodations and remnants of former logging camps dotting the route. Of its 18 miles of skiable terrain, Ìęare designated for snowshoeing. A bonus: the Banadad Trail is carbon-neutral, with all CO2 generated from its upkeep sequestered via tree planting.

9. Pine Grove Trail, Ohio

Winters in Cleveland are no joke, but snowshoeing northeast Ohio’s gem of an outdoor hub——makes the lingering snow flurries a bit more manageable. Head to the park’s Kendall Lake Trailhead to reach the , a forested snowshoe path amid hemlocks, oaks, and dramatic ocean- and glacier-carved rock ledges. The loop is beginner friendly, covering 3.5 miles with minimal elevation.

10. Empire Bluff Trail, Michigan

Snag one of the best Lake Michigan views from ’s most : Empire Bluff. The beginner-friendly 1.5-mile path transitions from Michigan’s signature hardwood forests to sweeping sand-dune-perch views. It’s a popular summer hike that only gets better—and less crowded—in the winter. From the , snowshoers will gain en route to the top.

11. Observation Point Trail, Wyoming

The two-mile is Yellowstone National Park’s most popular snowshoe-only path. It leads to a surreal winter attraction: the legendary Old Faithful geyser, erupting through a blanket of snow. Snowshoers trek from the visitor center along the Geyser Hill Trail, following switchbacks up to Observation Point, which overlooks Old Faithful. Expect an elevation gain of 160 feet and an average travel time of one to two hours.

12. Rim Trail, Utah

’s maze of copper hoodoos and verdant cedars becomes even more striking with a dusting of snow—and snowshoeing takes visitors right into the heart of it. Enjoy a dreamy backdrop via the , an 11-mile out-and-back ideal for taking in views of the dramatic snow-flecked canyon. But note that the National Park Service closes the 1.5-mile section from Bryce to Inspiration Points during winter for safety reasons.

13. Glenwood Dunes Trail, Indiana

For a mix of pristine sand and fresh powder, try snowshoeing at Indiana Dunes National Park. The seven-mile Glenwood Dunes Trail, a loop frequented by cross-country skiers and snowshoers alike, weaves through a thick oak forest, with an elevation gain of 129 feet. Join the hike at the Glenwood Dunes parking lot, and for a full dose of winter fun, pack your sled for post-snowshoe play at the park’s one : the western-facing slopes of the .

Intermediate

14. White Pine Lake Trail, Utah

The tough ten-mile , located in the Lone Peak Wilderness, two hours outside Salt Lake City, follows aspen forests and pine groves across Little Cottonwood Canyon. The trail has a of roughly 2,500 feet elevation and ends with a stop at the glassy White Pine Lake, whose mountain-fringed setting becomes even more eye-popping when it’s blanketed by winter snow.

15. Andesite Peak, California

For one of Tahoe National Forest’s best snowshoe summits, head up , a four-mile journey that starts just off I-80Ìęnear Boreal Mountain. Snowshoers follow a snowmobile road, then an orange-diamond-marked trail, to reach the 8,219-foot peak. The route meanders through fir forests and along Andesite Ridge before reaching the top, where a snowy 360-degree Sierra panorama awaits.

16. Meadow Trail to Dewey Point, California

Yosemite is one of șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű’s favorite national parksÌęfor winter exploration, and snowshoeing the Meadow Trail to shows why. This seven-mile jaunt through forests and meadows is as heart pumping as it is dazzling. Snowy Yosemite Valley views that take in El Capitan are the reward for ascending roughly 500 feet. The trail starts near the Badger Pass Ranger Station and follows Glacier Point Road for one mile before reaching the turnoff for Meadow Trail.

17. Caribou Mountain, Maine

Admire the snow-frosted landscapes of White Mountain National Forest with a snowshoe up Caribou Mountain. The roughly six-mile out-and-back trek twists through peaceful pine forests before topping out at the 2,850-foot peak, where views stretch across Maine, New Hampshire, and Quebec. Snowshoers will gain close to 2,000 feet of elevation on this trail, which starts just off .

18. Mount Wachusett,ÌęMassachusetts

While commonly known as one of the state’s top skiing destinations, , which Henry David Thoreau the “observatory of the state,” draws a snowshoeing crowd as well. Its most scenic snowshoeing route? Balance Rock Trail. This five-mile begins at the and joins the Old Indian Trail, proceeding through pine forests and around strewn boulders en route to the peak, with a gain of 1,000 feet of elevation.

19. Lakeshore Trail, Wisconsin

In winter, perfect weather conditions transform Apostle Islands National Lakeshore’s sea caves into mind-blowing icy caverns. Snowshoers can reach these ice caves by trekking the six-mile . The route follows the bluffs above Lake Superior, with a vantage point about two miles after Meyers Beach.

20. Maah Daah Hey Trail, North Dakota

Take in the Badlands from one of the state’s best-loved snowshoe routes on thisÌę through North Dakota’s wild western side. For a day trip, try the Long X to Maah Daah Hey Loop, an 11-mile excursion outside Grassy Butte that features snow-dusted grass in the foreground with the striated Badlands in the distance. This portion of the trail starts near the Ìęand gains 1,100 feet of elevation throughout the loop.

21. Stargaze Point, Idaho

Marvel at Idaho’s wintry mountain landscapes with a snowshoe trek up the three-mile out-and-back Stargaze Trail, 90 minutes from Boise. The blue-blaze route is virtually all uphill—plan on 800 feet of elevation gain—but the summit’s views are well worth the lactic-acid onslaught. To access the route, head to the at Beaver Creek Summit.

Advanced

22. Crag Crest Trail, Colorado

·Ąłæ±è±ôŽÇ°ù±đÌę, the largest flattop mountain in the world, via one of the state’s most stunning snowshoe experiences. The loops for ten miles through a forest of aspens and birches. The full distance requires proper preparation and . But even newer snowshoers can enjoy an on the scenic lower portions of the trail, where solitude, snow-swept landscapes, and strenuous terrain make for the perfect winter day.

23. Castle Rock Snowshoe Loop, New York

For a challenging New York jaunt, head four and a half hours north of New York City to the Adirondacks’ Blue Mountain Lake region, where tough loops like promise a solid day trip. Sure, this three-mile loop may be short, but it boasts some serious elevation gain—2,430 feet. The steep trek ends with breathtaking panoramas and views of sparkling Blue Mountain Lake below.

24. Mount Healy Trail, Alaska

Get immersed in Denali National Park’s winter scenery on the six-mile out-and-back . This snowshoe-friendly route starts at the park entrance area and heads up Mount Healy. The 1,700 feet of elevation gain promise sweeping views of Denali. Prepare for severe wind and a tough climb; the marks this route as difficult.

25. Moose Meadows Trail, Alaska

Traverse alpine tundra and cut between towering rock outcroppings on the . This challenging , located in the vast outside Fairbanks, is not for the faint of heart. It starts at milepost 39 on Chena River Road and gains 2,900 feet of elevation. For a more beginner-friendly route, head to Fairbanks’sÌę, where you’ll find milder trails and abundant wildlife.

26. Camel’s Hump Trail, Vermont

As Vermont’s third-tallest mountain, the 4,083-foot Ìędraws hikers year-round. These spruce-fringed trails become even more captivating after a winter snowfall—particularly the five-mile round-trip up to the summit. On a clear day, snowshoers can expect stunning vistas from Lake Champlain to Mount Washington. Join the via the parking lot at the terminus of Camel’s Hump Road.

The post The 26 Best Snowshoeing Trails in the U.S. appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Snowshoeing may be one of the most accessible winter activities. For starters, it’s easy to learn—if you can walk, you can snowshoe. And unlike winter sports that involve schussing or gliding, snowshoeing allows you to explore as slowly and methodically as you like, with practically zero injury risk. It’s also affordable. If you already own good cold-weather clothing, the only expense is the snowshoes themselves. Once you have them, just slip them on and go—no helmet, goggles, or lift tickets required. After months of testing, we’ve honed a lineup that has something for everyone

Evvo Snowshoes ($234)

Evvo offers a novel solution to cold, wet feet: a ­water-repellent, insulated, breathable upper, much like a clog’s. Just slide your foot in, adjust the heel strap, and go. We also love the flexy Michelin rubber outsole, which is like a strip of burly snow tire. And just like a good set of snow tires, these snowshoes handle snow and ice, no problem. Due to the pandemic, Evvo’s U.S. expansion has been slow, but if you e-mail the company, it’ll arrange for shipping to the U.S.

Decathlon Quechua SH100 Easy ($90)

French retailer Decathlon is bringing foam snowshoes to the masses. The new SH100 Easy is affordable and true to its name: a simple, ­full-foam base with three Velcro straps that are a cinch to put on. The slim silhouette (7.5 or 7.9 inches wide) makes for smooth striding, yet it’s still plenty wide for navigating deep powder. Molded foam traction underfoot and six metal spikes take care of any ice you encounter. Our only complaint is that the dense foam is a tad heavy.

Yukon Charlie Ridge 825 Kit ($200)

If you’re looking to get into snowshoeing, look no further than the Ridge, which boasts a sturdy aluminum frame and plastic deck, with six aggressive crampons. The ­snap-and-twist bindings wrap evenly around your feet. It even comes with a bag and poles, which can be helpful for maintaining balance on uneven terrain or in deep snow. Pick from four sizes: 8×21 inches, 8×25 inches, 9×30 inches, or 10×36 inches. If your feet are smaller than a women’s 8, opt for the smallest to ensure a proper fit.

Northern Lites Race Wave ($289)

Most snowshoe races are held on groomed trails or packed ­singletrack, so participants don’t need footwear with a lot of flotation. Instead, they need small, lightweight snowshoes that won’t compromise form or speed. At 21.5 ounces per pair, the Race Wave fits the bill. It’s just eight inches wide and 20 inches long—among the smallest and lightest models on the market­—but still compliant with theÌę United States Snowshoe Association size limits.

MSR Evo Ascent ($200)

No, you can’t buy the special snowshoes that MSR makes for Army paratroopers. But you can buy the next best thing: the Evo Ascent. Jagged traction rails below a sturdy deck offer up plenty of support and lateral stability on uneven terrain. The bindings are simple—just pull and secure each strap—but effective for any shoe type and foot size. You can buy the snowshoes alone, but they also come as part of a kit ($300) that includes poles and a pack.Ìę

Crescent Moon Kids Snowshoes ($90)

Adjustable bindings mean Crescent Moon’s latest model will grow with your kids, even if you have to buy them new snow boots as their feet get biggerÌę every winter. The two ­hook-and-loop straps (one above the toe and one behind the heel) are easy for little fingers to get on and off unassisted.

The post The Best Snowshoes of 2022 appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Get a Bike with Some Squish

When it comes to buying your first mountain bike, the long-prevailing wisdom has been to get a hardtail. Proponents of this will tell you that riding a bike without rear suspension forces you to develop better skills.

Don’t fall for it. Yes, back in the day, people rode the local rock pile on fully rigid bikes with their saddles wedged into their bellies. They picked lines very carefully and developed solid fundamentals—if they stuck with the sport. The operative word being if. Because when bikes were less squishy, mountain biking was harder. And less fun.

For most riders—especially new ones—suspension improves the experience. It soaks up bumps, giving you more confidence on descents. It makes the ride more forgiving, so you can go longer before you start to fatigue. It even improves traction, helping you conquer tricky climbs. The price premium for those wonderful feelings has fallen in recent years, with great full-suspension bikes now available for less than $2,000. We like the ($1,679). A RockShox Recon 130-millimeter air fork, 29er wheels, 125 millimeters of rear travel, and a SRAM 1x drivetrain combine for a trail bike you’ll shred happily for seasons to come.

Life can be hard. Learning to mountain bike can be, too. But unlike in life, your ratio of fun-having to character-building is up to you when you ride. Maximize it. —Gloria Liu

Expert tips:

• Look for a bike with tubeless-ready wheels. Even if you don’t set them up that way immediately, you’ll want to go tubeless at some point, to run lower tire pressure for better traction and to minimize flats.
• A must-have on a first mountain bike is an air fork. It provides smoother, suppler suspension than the coil-sprung forks typically found on entry-level bikes, which means better handling and less upper-body fatigue.

The Best Snowshoes Are Not Snowshoes

Snowshoes are handy when the powder is deep. But if you’re hiking on packed trails, they’re clunky and unnecessary. That’s when you want a set of spikes, like the ($50). They’re the toughest out there, give you plenty of traction, and stash easily in your pack. —Maren Larsen

Your First SUP Should Be Inflatable

Paddleboarding offers more adventure opportunities than you might imagine. Perhaps you’ve tried it cruising in a harbor or splashing around a lake, but you can also paddle in the surf, on whitewater rivers, in alpine lakes, and on the open ocean.

If you’re curious about any of these options, you can’t go wrong with an inflatable SUP. They’re easy to transport, store, and lift, since they’re lightweight and usually include their own bag, which is about the size of a large suitcase. They’re also very difficult to puncture. The only downside is that you have to inflate them before paddling. But thanks to efficient pumps, you’ll be on the water in ten minutes or so—and the process is a good warm-up.

We recommend something at least 9’6″ long and 32 inches wide. Those dimensions will make the board stable enough for most adults even on choppy water, and easy enough to carry for smaller folks. ($499) from Boardworks is durable and reliable compared with other offerings at that price.

An inflatable is a useful quiver element for veteran paddlers, too. It’s great for bringing to tropical locations and on overnight camping trips, and for teaching others to paddle. —Will Taylor

Expert tips:

• Most ­SUPers have the blade of the paddle turned the wrong way when they’re starting out. Think about it like this: the angle of the blade should point in the direction you want to go.
• A standard leash can be a drowning hazard if it snags on something in a fast-moving river. In those conditions, use a quick-release design like the Badfish Coiled Re’leash ($69), so you can untether safely in an emergency.

The Way to Perfect BBQ Is a Pellet Grill

Smoking transfers the flavor of wood into your food and keeps moisture in your meat. Pellet grills, which offer digital control of temperature and other variables, turn the art of cooking with smoke into a science, practically guaranteeing mouthwatering results regardless of experience level. High-end models are expensive, starting around $800, which tends to rule them out as a beginner purchase. The new ($500) is an affordable pellet grill that offers all the features you need—570 square inches of grilling space, smoke adjustment, a meat probe, and an internal temperature readout. Dial in the heat from 160 to 500 degrees and quickly nail everything from slow-cooked smoked salmon to a quick weeknight burger. It will meet all your grilling needs and is easy to clean. In short, it will convince your friends that you’re an excellent chef, without the years of experience necessary to master other barbecues. —Wes Siler

Expert tip: Proper seasoning can take your grilling from so-so to stellar. Rub steaks liberally with salt and freshly ground pepper up to 24 hours before grilling so the salt can penetrate the entire cut of meat.

Lose the Rope

The simple crash pad offers the easiest and most accessible way to climb outside. Primarily used for bouldering (climbing low to the ground without ropes or harnesses), the pads cushion your fall and quickly build stoke for exploring other climbing disciplines. We like the stout ($150). —Jeremy Rellosa

Expert tip:ÌęA crash pad can also serve as your pack. Stuff your climbing shoes, water bottle, and snacks between the two halves for the approach.

Trail Runners Are Better than Hiking Boots

For most people on most paths, trail-running shoes are a better alternative to traditional hiking boots. They’re lighter, so your legs won’t get fatigued as quickly, especially on multi-day trips. Max-cushion models like the ($145) are popular with through-hikers. They also offer better ground sensitivity and comparable traction, so you can navigate technical terrain more nimbly. —Ariella Gintzler

Expert tip: When it comes to tread, bigger isn’t always better. Knobby lugs (5–7 millimeters) are good for scrabbly conditions, but on dry, packed dirt, minimal outsoles (with lugs of 2–4 milli­meters) yield a smoother stride.

Go Big on Sleep

For the cost of upgrading from a fleabag motel to five-star accommodations, you can buy a decade of amazing outdoor sleep wherever you roam. A plush pad for car camping ensures you’ll stay out more—and, if you get a double, that your partner will want to also. We love the (from $250). It’s as comfortable as the memory foam in your bedroom. —Joe Jackson

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Gear appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Sure, long underwear is nice, but have you ever warmed up with miso soup in the middle of your snowshoe tour? On bitterly cold days, heeding the call of the wild over the call of the couch is much easier if you know you’ll always be within reach of a hot beverage. So get your thermos game dialed.

While warm beverages alone will not protect you from hypothermia, they are one part of a multipronged approach to treating hypothermic patients in the backcountry, says Zack Fuecker, a Minnesota-based wilderness first responder. Just know that shivering, which is your body’s main method of keeping you warm if you aren’t dressed properly, is a real energy suck. So it’s more the carbohydrates and calories in the thermos that help in such situationsÌęversus the liquid actually warming you from the inside out. (Tod ShimelpfenigÌęthe curriculum director of NOLS Wilderness Medicine, points out thatÌętheÌęaverage adult is about 40 liters of water. Adding a mug of hot water to that will do little to change the overall heat content.) And according to Patrick Wilson, an exercise-science professor at Old Dominion University and author of ,Ìęwhile there isn’t much research showing that warm liquidsÌęboost athletic performance, they might keep you more hydrated—butÌęnot for the reasons you think.Ìę“Any benefits would probably be more perception based, like increasing your drive to drink,” he says. If you find yourself returning from winter adventures barely having touched your hydration supply, try bringing a warm beverage along to make drinking more appealing.

To get the most out of your thermos (and what’s in it), you need to understand thermodynamics. Heat is essentially energy. When a liquid is hot, the molecules that make up that liquid are vibrating at a higher frequency than when that liquid is cold, says Kyle Overdeep, a scientist who specializes in this branch of physics. When a hot beverage comes into contact with a cold surface—say the wall of your drinking cup—those fast-vibrating molecules begin colliding with the slow-moving ones, heating the surface. How quickly a surface transfers heat depends on that surface’s density, Overdeep explains. With its low density, air is an ideal insulator, which is why puffy coats work so well.ÌęWhat has even less density than air? A vacuum.

Between the inner and outer wall of a vacuum-sealed thermos is a tiny cross section that has had all the air sucked right out of it. In a vacuum, those energetic molecules in your beverage have even fewer atoms to bump up against. VoilĂ ! Your drink stays hotter longer.

Now that you understandÌęhowÌęyour thermos works, here’s how to optimize it.

Preheat It

Your coffee will leach valuable energyÌęheating up the sidewall of your thermos. If you have tenÌęminutes to spare, fill your thermos with hot waterÌęand allow that inner wall to warm up. Then dump it and refill it with your liquid of choice.

Fill It Up

Volume matters when it comes to keeping something hot, says David Cipoletti, associate director of advanced development at Hydro Flask. Since heat transfer happens at the surface of fluids, three ounces of liquid jostling around and making contact with the walls of your thermos is going to lose heat much faster than a filled 48-ounce container, where a significant portion of the liquid is only ever in contact with other liquid.

Pack Smart

Water stores energy well, says Cipoletti, so tea and coffee will generally stay hot for a long time. Packing food in a thermos gets more complicated. Scrambled eggs, for example, have a lot of air pockets and may lose heat more quickly than something denser, like soup.

Remember Food Safety (Even in Winter)

The danger zone for food—where bacteria thrive—is between 40 and 140Ìędegrees Fahrenheit, says Sean O’Keefe, who works in the department of food science and technology at Virginia Tech University. If you want to eat hot food in the backcountry, you need to keep it really hot. “Soup or stew are fantastic media to grow bacteria. They have nutrients, their pH is around neutral, and they are normally consumed warm,” he warns. If you’re not sure how well your thermos works, you’re better off packing hot water and mixing it with dehydrated soup packets on the trail versus packing beef stew to go.

Be Gentle

After companies create a vacuum between the two layers of a thermos, they have to seal the whole thing up via supertight welds. But air is sneaky. Over time, molecules may slip through tiny cracks in the welds, ruining that vacuum. This is especially likely if you’re like me and prone to dropping things. The less you bang your thermos around, the longer the welds will hold. FYI:ÌęThe dishwasher is fine. It won’t hurt the seal.

Screw That Cap Tight

There’s no vacuum around the top of a thermos, so that’s a major leak point for heat, says Cipoletti. Unfortunately, heat rises, which compounds the problem. The quality of your lid is less important when it comes to cold storage. If you want to keep things hot, look for a lid that contains some sort of additional insulation; Hydro Flask, for example, offers tops with “honeycomb” insulation, which essentially addÌęa layer of air into the lid.ÌęPour your liquid into your thermos, screw the lid on as tight as you can, and don’t open it until you’re ready to pour yourself a cup.

Make Something Delicious

This will help you get your butt out the door, even on the coldest days, and it will encourage you to consume what you’ve got, keeping your energy levels topped off. At theÌę guests are sent out on sleigh rides with thermoses of this house-made hot chocolate at the ready.

Oz the Clydesdale’s Favorite Hot Chocolate

For one serving, heat oneÌęcup of whole milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it starts to steam. Whisk in a fourthÌęof a tablet ofÌęÌęand a tiny pinch of kosher salt. (At the ranch, they grind the chocolate up in a food processor to make it dissolve quicker.) Pour it into mugs with one ounceÌęofÌę. For the full-onÌętailgate version of this drink, top with whipped cream and a toasted marshmallow.

Three Thermoses We Recommend

GSI Outdoors Microlite 1000 Twist ($35)

GSI Outdoors claims that the Microlite will keep beverages hot for up to 18 hours and cold for up to 32, and our testing (OK, our forgetting we left this thermos in a pack overnight) has proven that drinks do stay piping hot for an unbelievably long time. A reliable screw top and superlight stainless-steel construction make it ideal for getting jostledÌęaround in a pack.

Stanley 17-Ounce Master Unbreakable Food Jar ($60)

This vacuum-insulated Stanley food jar is one of our Gear Guy’s favorites. It “crushed the competition in the thermoregulation test,” he wrote. He also appreciated itsÌęheft and visual appeal. It’s a great option for transporting soups and hot foods, but we did find it a little hard to clean and eat from, due toÌęthe small mouth diameter.

EcoVessel 64-Ounce Boss Insulated Growler ($60)

According to EcoVessel, the Boss will keep drinks cold up to 150 hours and hot up to 24 hours, though we haven’t tested it to those limits. It did keep our beer cold during long summer days at the cragÌęand our cider very hot during parking-lot hangs at the ski resort. There are two twisting lids: one with a silicone drinking lip, which we like for pouring, and a wider one that comes in handy when it’s time toÌęfill itÌęup.

The post Want to Get șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű All Winter? Bring Your Thermos. appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Dion ModelÌę120 Laser LT (starting at $145)

Vermont-based Dion makes some of the lightest, most versatile running snowshoe on the market. The frames themselves are lightweight for a model built for speed, at only 1.3Ìępounds, and, depending on the conditions, you can swap out the standard cleat for ice or deep-snow models. The easy-to-use but sturdyÌębindings stay put across long distances, but if you’re not a fan, simply use a drill and some basic hardware to mount the LTs to your favorite trail runners.

Crescent Moon Luna Foam ShoeÌę($120)

A few years ago, Crescent Moon debuted the Eva, the first-ever all-foam snowshoe, which one tester called “a fat bike for your feet.” The Luna is a smaller version, atÌęseven by 20 inches compared to the Eva’s eight by 24, but it has just as much cushion and a similar rockered shape, plus optional screw-in studs that offer extra traction in icy conditions. Not that you’ll be getting rid of it anytime soon, but when you do, it’s recyclable through athletic-shoe recycling programs.Ìę

Atlas Helium-Trail ($140)

It’s not often that snowshoe companies come out with all-new models, so testers were excited about Atlas’s new-to-market Helium series of backcountry, all-mountain, and trail-walking models. Our favorite, the Trail, is an all-purpose composite snowshoe that comes in 23- and 26-inch sizes and flexes gently as you walk. Steel crampons keep you upright on icy terrain, traction is built into the deck for stability, and an easy-to-flip-up heel lift takes the edge off of steep climbs.

TSL Highlander AdjustÌę($250)

A fantastic all-around snowshoe, the French-made TSL Highlander Adjust comes in three sizes. Once you’ve selected your model, a one-time adjustment fits the binding to the length of your entire boot. From that first use onwards, all you have to do is step into the binding, cinch the Boa down across your toes, and secure a strap around your ankle. “I had the entire system set to accommodate my boots in less than two minutes,” said one tester, who added that the Adjusts were also nimble and confident on spring melt, ice, hardpack, and deep drifts.

Garneau Premiere PremiĂšreÌę($245)

The company has updated its popular PremiĂšreÌębackcountry snowshoes with a new Boa closure systemÌęthat tightens the binding uniformly around the toe and heel with the twist of a single knob—no pulling straps or fiddling with buckles required. Available in two sizes, the PremiĂšreÌęproved well-designed for breaking trail through deep snow.

Northern Lites Honey Badger ($299)

If you’ve ever been in a situation where you needed snowshoes and ice crampons, what you really needed was the Honey Badger. Named after the world’s “most fearless animal,” these snowshoes feature aggressive—very sharp, very long—stainless-steel cleats from toe to heel to keep you steady on slick, steep surfaces. And at only 25 inches long and 3.75 pounds, they’re not unwieldy or too heavy, although testers who weigh more than 175 pounds may want a bigger snowshoe or risk sinking in deep powder.

The post The Best Snowshoes of 2021 appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Snowshoeing can grantÌęyou access to otherwise inaccessible winter terrain. Unlike other snowÌęsports, the equipment can be really cheap, and the learning curve is quick and easy. Here, Wes Siler shows you what you need to buyÌęand how toÌęuse it.

The post Everything You Need to Know to Snowshoe appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.